The history of liquor is a fascinating one. Its origins are unclear. But most historians believe people first distilled alcohol around the 13th century AD. Speculations about possible earlier development are just that… speculations.

Wine can develop with no human intervention. Beer can brew with little human involvement. But distilling alcohol requires an understanding of specific physical processes. It also requires advanced materials and technology. So people ‘developed’ distillation rather than ‘discovered’ it.
Liquor
There is considerable variation in the meaning of the term ‘liquor.’ And its meaning has changed over time. People now generally use it in referring to distilled spirits. These include whiskey, rum, vodka, gin, tequila and other beverages that are distilled.
The History of Liquor

Past
- Early History of Liquor
- Liquor in the 15th Century
- Liquor in the 16th Century
- Liquor in the 17th Century
- Liquor in the 18th Century
- Liquor in the 19th Century
Future

Resources
- Austin, G. Alcohol in Western Society. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-Clio, 1985.
- Babor, T. Alcohol: Customs and Rituals. NY: Chelsea, 1986.
- Baker, P. The Dedalus Book of Absinthe. Cambs, U.K.: Dedalus, 2001.
- Blocker, J., et al. Alcohol and Temperance in Modern History. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2003.
- Doxat, J. The World of Drinks and Drinking. NY: Drake, 1971,
- Forbes, R. Short History of the Art of Distillation. Leiden: Brill, 1948.
- Gately, I. Drink: A Cultural History of Alcohol. NY: Gotham, 2008.
- Heath, D., (ed.) International Handbook on Alcohol and Culture. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1995.
- Holt, M. (Ed.) Alcohol: A Social and Cultural History. Oxford: Berg, 2006.
- Hoover, M. The Whiskey Rebellion. Alcohol Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) website.
- Kobler, J. Ardent Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. NY: Putnam’s: 1973
- Lucia, S., (ed.) Alcohol and Civilization. NY: McGraw-Hill, 1963.
- Magee, M. 1000 Years of Irish Whiskey. Dublin: O’Brien, 1980.
- Murphy, B. The World Book of Whiskey. Chicago: Rand McNall, 1979.